Hampton's Air Aaron Tops Phoebus

Crabbers' quarterback Aaron Matthews combined with split end Aaron Mundy on touchdown passes of 53, 22 and 63 yards as well as a two-point conversion pass.

The victory kept Hampton tied with Warwick for first place in the hectic Peninsula District race.

"It wasn't anything fancy," said Mundy, who has seven touchdown receptions this season. "I was able to beat man-to-man coverage and Aaron did a good job of getting it to me. He's getting better every week and has the kind of confidence that nobody can stop him."

The improving Matthews has thrown for 365 yards in his last two games and has 10 touchdown passes this season.

Trailing 7-0 on their first possession, the Phantoms drove 63 yards to the Hampton 4, but quarterback Andre Ross fumbled trying to make a pitchout and both-way stalwart Mundy recovered.

"I think Joe Becnel made a big hit on Ross to force that fumble," said Hampton Coach Mike Smith. "It was a crucial play. Becnel, (linebacker) Curtis Wilson and (guard) Marcus Simmons all played well defensively."

Matthews, who plays safety on defense, set up the second touchdown with a 52-yard punt return 12 seconds before halftime.

On the next play, he threaded the ball between two Phoebus defenders to a leaping Mundy for a 13-0 lead.

"Mundy is just a heckuva player," Smith said. "He uses his height (6-foot-6) very well and has excellent speed to go with it."

Phoebus, which stuck with its running game most of the second half, marched 63 yards to Hampton's 18 in the first 7:20 of the third period.

Mundy tackled Ross for a 4-yard loss on second down and cornerback Tarik Cassells broke up a third-down pass intended for tight end Tony Richards.

That forced Phoebus to settle for Drew Powell's 34-yard field goal with 4:40 left in the third.

Hampton's defense held the Phantoms to one first down on their last four possessions.

"Their defense was geared to stop (fullback Dwayne) Murphy," said Smith, "and we were able to take advantage of that with the passing game."

Phoebus, led by fullback Kevin Giles' 56 yards, outrushed Hampton 156-79. But the victors had a 187-12 passing advantage.